Suspected members of a panga-wielding gang accused of perpetrating political violence during the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration yesterday pleaded not guilty to five charges levelled against them.
Eleven of the 15 suspects that police arrested appeared before the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe to take plea in relation to a violent incident that occurred on May 11 2025 in Mponela, Dowa where they allegedly assaulted people, set a vehicle ablaze and damaged another.
Police and court records identify the suspects as Bruno Munlo Makina, Eric Phakamisa, Davie Malamula, Rahim Jothan, Alfonso Chiphwanya, Yesaya Bwanali, Alfred Kadula, Issa Saidi, Lameck Manduwa Mkasa, Lester Kanjunga and Howard Anusa Kadango.
The charges are acts intended to cause grievous harm, arson, malicious damage and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Following the pleas, State prosecutor Prescott Mwayiulipo informed the court that the State will parade 10 witnesses and requested for an adjournment, saying the witnesses were not present yesterday.
“We did not anticipate a plea of not guilty to be made by the suspects, so we did not bring witnesses,” he said.
On the other hand, defence lawyer Christopher Kambalame applied for bail for the 11 accused persons, arguing that the State had not served disclosure documents, making it difficult to assess the evidence being relied upon to oppose bail.
“From what the State has indicated, it has finalised investigations, so releasing the suspects will not interfere with witnesses or evidence,” he said.
However, Mwayiulipo objected to the bail application, arguing that there is a high likelihood of witnesses interference if the suspects are released. He prayed for continued detention.
Another State prosecutor, Moja Phiri, also opposed the bail request, submitting that the serious nature of the offences and ongoing fears among witnesses justified further detention.
But another defence lawyer Khwima Mchizi challenged the State’s position, noting that prosecutors had not made any formal application for further detention or presented evidence substantiating claims of risk.
Chief resident magistrate Austin Banda reserved his ruling on the bail application to today.
Some of the accused were previously granted bail by the Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court in a separate case relating to the disruption of demonstrations in Lilongwe, but were later re-arrested on additional charges.
